Join 8,000 Iceland Travel Fans & Unlock Exclusive Discounts
Subscribe and instantly receive free discount codes for tours, car rentals, camper vans, and outdoor gear — carefully hand-picked to help you save on your Iceland adventure.
- ✔ Instant access to exclusive discount codes
- ✔ Savings on tours, car and camper rentals
- ✔ Tips and inspiration for planning your Iceland trip
The stunning Glacial Lagoon
The Glacial Lagoon – jökulsárlón in Icelandic – in the southeast corner of Iceland is one of the country’s famous places. And it is awe-inspiring, with massive icebergs floating around in the frigid water. In the distance, the massive Vatnajökull glacier looms. Distant booms sound when icebergs break off the glacier’s edge. It is how I would imagine how distant artillery fire would sound. I have been on the lagoon on a boat, which is well worth doing.
Would I recommend visiting the lagoon? Well, the short answer is a resounding yes! Whenever I am in this remote part of Iceland, I stop there and watch the spectacle of the icebergs floating on the lagoon in awe. I have gone on a boat trip to the lagoon, and I just loved it, so that is something I would recommend doing.
Go on the ultimate road trip.
There are a few accommodations near the lagoon. Please note that the drive to the lagoon is a long one, 380 kilometers – 236 miles – no less. And in this way, you will drive across the scenic south coast where there are so many great places to visit. In many ways, it is the ultimate road trip. So rent a car and explore on your own.
Book a hotel and a flight to Iceland
Find a hotel near the Glacial Lagoon.
In the interface below, you will see the locations of available hotel rooms near the Glacial Lagoon.
Booking.com
Visit Diamond Beach
Iceland’s shortest glacial river runs off the lagoon and into the ocean. It brings with it blocks of ice which then washes ashore on the beach across the road. The interplay between sunlight, the water, and the ice has created one of the best places in Iceland for photography.
This beach on the Breiðamerkursandur desert is often called ‘Diamond Beach.’ The diamonds are the icebergs and pieces of ice that come onshore from the lagoon.
The connection between the Glacial Lagoon and climate disaster
If you have any doubt that humans are causing tremendous harm to the environment, visit the Glacial Lagoon and learn about its history. It has expanded dramatically as the glacier melted and receded over the past decades.
Viking Story Night at Mr. Iceland: One of the Best Evening Activities in Iceland (and You Get 10% Off)
If someone asks me what they should do on an evening in South Iceland that has nothing to do with the Northern Lights, I now have a clear answer: go to Mr. Iceland and listen to Valdimar tell stories. Mr. Iceland is a working farm…
Helena Gallardo of Volcano Heli on How to See Iceland from the Air (the Right Way)
If you’re thinking about seeing Iceland from a helicopter, you’ll probably end up talking to Helena Gallardo at some point. Helena handles customer service at Volcano Heli, a small helicopter tour company based in Reykjavík. They’re not the biggest operation in Iceland, but they’re one…
A Guide to Preparing for Cold Water Dives in Iceland
Cold water diving in Iceland offers an unparalleled adventure for divers eager to explore unique underwater landscapes. However, the extreme conditions require careful preparation to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Understanding the specific challenges and necessary gear is crucial for anyone considering this exhilarating…
Reykjavik Festivals and Special Days in 2026
Reykjavík punches well above its weight when it comes to festivals. For a city of around 140,000 people, the capital packs its calendar with an extraordinary number of cultural events. These range from the depths of winter darkness right through the endless summer light. Here…
Meet Nonni — Your New AI Travel Companion for Iceland
Planning a trip to Iceland can be overwhelming. Between the Northern Lights, glacier hikes, the Golden Circle, hot springs, whale watching, and everything in between, there’s a staggering amount to consider. And after thirteen years of publishing Stuck in Iceland Travel Magazine, I’ll be the…
Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdóttir Interview: Master of Icelandic Apocalyptic and Historical Fiction
Nine years ago, I bought myself a book before Christmas. It was the debut of a new author, Sigríður Hagalín Björnsdótir, who at the time was a journalist at the Icelandic National Television. The book was called ‘Eyland’ – a literal translation could be ‘Island…
Arctic Adventures Partnership: Exclusive Glacier Tours on Sólheimajökull
If you’ve been dreaming about stepping onto an actual glacier in Iceland, I have fantastic news. I’m thrilled to announce that I’m rebooting my partnership with Arctic Adventures for their Glacier Tours on Sólheimajökull. Arctic Adventures is one of Iceland’s most respected tour operators and a…
Where to Stay in South Iceland: Landhotel Near Hella (Plus 15% Off for Newsletter Subscribers)
When people ask me where to base themselves for exploring South Iceland, I’ve got a pretty good answer these days: Landhotel, just outside Hella. I’ve partnered with Landhotel because it genuinely solves a problem many Iceland travelers face – finding quality accommodation that’s both comfortable…
Snowboarding in Iceland: The Best Locations and Tips
Iceland might not be the first place that comes to mind for snowboarding, but that’s exactly what makes it so appealing. Instead of busy resorts and long lift lines, you get mountains rising straight from the ocean, constantly shifting weather, and winter light that turns…
Visit Iceland in 2026: Insights From People Who Truly Know the Country
Before you start pinning waterfalls and booking tours, it helps to listen to people who actually know Iceland from the inside. Over the past year, Stuck in Iceland spoke with locals, guides, artists, scientists, and adventurers who all experience the country in very different ways…
New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik — Ring in the New Year Like a Local
We Icelanders take New Year’s Eve seriously — and it’s wildly fun. Forget tame countdowns: on December 31st, the whole country glows with thousands of fireworks, roaring bonfires, and late-night celebrations that echo well into the early morning. Reykjavík, in particular, transforms into one of…
Crack the Icelandic Aurora Code: Meet Iceland at Night
It’s that time again—time to sit down with my good friend Sævar Helgi Bragason, Iceland’s stargazer-in-chief. He’s the person I always turn to when the spectacular Icelandic aurora is set to dance across the sky. Readers will remember Sævar from our previous conversations about stargazing…
Want to Celebrate Icelandic Christmas – Here is the Ultimate guide
Icelanders go big on Christmas. Not only is generous gift giving a core feature of Icelandic Christmas. The festival lasts 13 days. Like elsewhere in the western world, Christmas celebrations and preparations start obnoxiously early, but we Icelanders try to extend the ancient solstice festivities…
The Icelandic Christmas Cat: Iceland’s Most Terrifying Yuletide Monster
The horrible Icelandic Yule lads were a gruesome bunch of trolls that terrorized children and stole food from hungry peasants around Christmas. Their parents were the horrible ogre Grýla, who ate naughty children, and her bedridden, lazy, no-good husband Leppalúði. And there was their pet,…
Chasing Fire: The Dutch Lava Master Documenting Iceland’s Eruptions
In a land where fire meets ice, Rico de Jong has found his element. The 24-year-old Dutch photographer and videographer didn’t just move to Iceland for his master’s degree in Volcanology. He moved to chase the raw, untamed beauty of a landscape that refuses to be…
The 13 Icelandic Yule Lads: Iceland’s Bad Santas
Icelanders have their version of Santa Claus. Actually, we have thirteen versions of Santa Claus. Yes! Iceland has thirteen Santa Clauses, called Yule lads (‘Jólasveinar’ in Icelandic). The global trend of gentrification has caught up with them, and now they are a delight to children….
Your Northern Lights Guide Just Got Better – All You Need to Chase the Aurora in Iceland
I’ve just given my Iceland Northern Lights guide a major upgrade, and I’m excited to share what’s new. If you’re planning to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, you need more than just hope and a warm jacket. You need accurate information, realistic expectations, and practical…
Icelandic Halloween Special: The Undead Deacon of Dark River
I am a huge fan of the imported festival of Halloween. It has become very popular here in Iceland, which is not surprising. Icelandic culture and folklore are wedded to the macabre. Since it is the spooky season, I thought it would be a good…
Songs of Longing and Love: Icelandic Soprano Hallveig Rúnarsdóttir Releases Hauntingly Beautiful Nordic Album
If you’re heading to Iceland this autumn and want to experience something truly soulful, mark your calendar for October 25th. That’s when one of Iceland’s most beloved sopranos, and my very own much better half, Hallveig Rúnarsdóttir, will take the stage in Harpa’s Norðurljós Hall…
Your Ultimate Ring Road Guide Just Got Even Better
If Iceland’s Ring Road is on your bucket list (and let’s be honest, it should be!), I’ve got great news: my free Iceland Ring Road Guide just got a major update. It is better, sharper, and more helpful than ever. Whether you’re a first-time visitor…
Krauma Nature Baths – A Silver Circle Highlight in West Iceland
Looking for a top-rated relaxation experience in Iceland? Krauma Nature Baths offer soothing geothermal waters, stylish facilities, and a perfect location on the Silver Circle—West Iceland’s newest scenic road trip. Just an hour’s drive from Reykjavík, Krauma is fed by Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot…
Ugla Hauksdottir Makes History & Sci-Fi with Alien: Earth and The Fires
When I was a teenager, I saw the scariest, most riveting film ever: Aliens. The film had everything a teenage boy dreams about: spaceships, gun-toting marines, scary, slimy monsters, and Sigourney Weaver. I then watched Alien, which was just as amazing. Aliens has always been…
Compare Hotels in Iceland: Find Best-Value Stays for Your Vacation
I’m excited to share a brand-new feature on Stuck in Iceland Travel Magazine: my Book Hotels in Iceland page. Whether you’re planning a quick city break in Reykjavík, a south coast adventure, or a full Ring Road journey, this page makes it easier than ever…
Icelander Sigurjon Fridrik Gardarson on Winning an Emmy
It is not every day that an Icelander takes home an Emmy. However, compositing supervisor Sigurjon Fridrik Gardarson at Vancouver-based Stormborn Studios just did. Sigurjon and his team were awarded an Emmy for their visual effects work on Five Days at Memorial, the gripping Apple…
Reykjavik in Winter – The Ultimate Guide
Reykjavik has been my home base for years, and trust me: Reykjavik can be really nice during the winter. Reykjavik is cozy, quirky, and full of surprises—even when the days are short and the nights are long. This guide offers my personal take on maximizing…
Save on the Brand New Northern Lights Tours with Gravel Travel
If catching the Northern Lights is on your travel bucket list (and let’s be honest—it should be), then this is the winter to make it happen. My friends at Gravel Travel have just launched new and improved Northern Lights tours—and they’re offering an exclusive 10% discount…
Take a Journey Into Icelandic Soundscapes and Sonic Heritage
When most people think of Iceland, they picture epic landscapes—volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, and endless lava fields. But Kaśka Paluch, a Polish-born musicologist, journalist, and sound artist, has given us a way to hear Iceland like never before. She is creating Icelandic soundscapes to match the…
Campervan Deal for a Winter Road Trip in Iceland – Save up to 50%
Planning a trip to Iceland between September 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026? Well, this might just be the best news you’ll hear today. For a limited time, you can get a massive 25% off your Iceland campervan rental with Happy Campers — exclusively through…
Echoes of the End: Myrkur Games Transforms Iceland’s Landscapes into Living Fantasy
In the world of video games, few titles feel as deeply rooted in place as Echoes of the End. This is the debut action-adventure game from Reykjavík-based studio Myrkur Games. Released in August 2025 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, the game marks…
Bieber Spotlights Iceland’s Wild North in New Music Video
So why did Bieber pick the remote hamlet of Haganesvík in the Icelandic high north to record and produce his latest video? Well, this sleepy hamlet — once home to a co-op, slaughterhouse, and fish factory — was nearly abandoned by the late 20th century….
How to get to the Glacial Lagoon?
From Reykjavik, rent a car and drive for 380 KM on highway 1 east.